Summary

  • Luton return to top flight for first time since 1991-92, season before Premier League founded

  • Eleven successful penalties until Coventry's Dabo missed target

  • Luton captain Lockyer 'responsive and talking' after collapsing on pitch

  • Lockyer taken to hospital for further tests

  • Coventry scorer Hamer limps off with injury

  • Sky Blues finished fifth in Championship, 10 points behind third-placed Luton

  1. Postpublished at 3 mins

    Luton 0-0 Coventry

    Just to set the context again. Coventry not been in the Premier League in 22 years; Luton have never been in it and last graced the top flight in 1992.

    Big rewards for both.

    Coventry enjoying early possession but Luton certainly not allowed anyone to settle on the ball.

  2. First goal will be crucialpublished at 16:48 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton 0-0 Coventry

    Steve Ogrizovic
    Ex-Coventry City goalkeeper on BBC CWR

    Defensively, the clubs have both had a lot of success.

    It’s very important to get the first goal. Coventry have been brilliant when they have scored first this season.

    It’s so important to get a fast start, play in Luton’s half, get a good foothold and then just hope it’s your day.

  3. Postpublished at 2 mins

    Luton 0-0 Coventry

    The kick-off time has been staggered for this one to allow for television coverage but it has also allowed a bit more shadow on to the Wembley turf.

    It's about 55% shaded, the rest in gleaming sun.

    Will still be steamy down at pitchside though.

    Bit of early blood and thunder to show.

  4. KICK-OFFpublished at 1 mins

    Luton 0-0 Coventry

    Not a seat to be had in the two partisan sections of Wembley, this is a game you don't miss.

    We're good to go.

    Luton in that distinctive orange. Coventry in their sky blue.

    Wembley has a brilliantly half-and-half look to it. Luton kick us off.

    It's a game as big as any. And it's up and running.

  5. "Today's referee is..."published at 16:43 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Michael OliverImage source, Getty Images

    Given this is one of Europe's biggest games with the size of crowd, prize at stake and level of interest, the English Football League have wheeled out one of the refereeing big guns to take control of this one in Michael Oliver.

    Another official we might hear plenty about this afternoon is Andre Marriner - that's because he is this afternoon's video assistant referee. Yes, VAR will be in use.

    Stuart Burt and Lee Betts are the two assistants, and trying to retain order on the sideline is fourth official Graham Scott.

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 16:42 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    #bbcefl

    Luton playersImage source, Getty Images

    Rob Gould: Come on Luton, let's make it to the Premier League - you have been brilliant this season! One more game, you can do it! What a journey since we were relegated out of the league! This will be the Cinderella story.

  7. Team news: Coventrypublished at 16:42 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Ben WilsonImage source, PA Media

    Here's a quick recap of the Coventry team. Unchanged bar Kasey Palmer replacing Sean Maguire on the bench.

    Coventry: Wilson, Norton-Cuffy, McNally, McFadzean, Doyle, Bidwell, Kelly, Sheaf, Allen, Hamer, Gyokeres.

    Subs: Moore, Panzo, Wilson-Esbrand, Dabo, Godden, Eccles, Palmer.

  8. Team news: Lutonpublished at 16:40 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Luton are unchanged across the board as Rob Edwards rewards the players who got him to Wembley with the chance to represent the club here.

    Luton: Horvath, Osho, Lockyer, Bell, Drameh, Clark, Nakamba, Mpanzu, Doughty, Adebayo, Morris.

    Subs: Shea, Potts, Berry, Burke, Campbell, Onyedinma, Taylor.

  9. Postpublished at 16:40 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Teams are out and the presentations are being made.

    Let's recap the teams...

  10. Unshakeable Pelly ready for 'Prem'published at 16:39 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Media caption,

    Coventry City v Luton Town: From non-league to potential Premier League promotion

    Modern-day football is notoriously without sentiment, given the ruthlessness required by managers and coaches to deliver success.

    Fairytale stories shouldn't happen now, the boy-done-good rise.

    Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu would love to become the exception to the rule as he and Luton Town hope to continue their marriage of success from National League to Premier League this afternoon.

    His 366 Luton appearances have come in all divisions of the professional game, except for the top flight.

    "Every league is different, from National League, to League Two, to League One, to the Championship, all through the leagues you've got to adapt your game," Mpanzu said.

    "I'm here trying to play my best whatever manager I've had, which is John Still, Mick [Harford], Graeme Jones, Nathan Jones, Rob Edwards, even Andy Awford, who took over for a bit as well. All the managers have believed in me and hopefully I can pay them back [on Saturday].

    "Even though they're not here right now, they all played a part and made a platform for us to make it to the Premier League."

    He continued: "It's been a great rise and everyone has played a part. The fans have played a part, the community, all the staff members, it's been a real town effort and we've got one more [game] to make it a wonderful summer for everyone. I don't think the party will stop on Saturday if we win."

  11. Postpublished at 16:37 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Coventry fan cries after relegation in 2001Image source, Getty Images

    When today will hit home I think, in the stands, is when Coventry fans - who were possibly teenagers as they shed tears in the stands at Highfield Road after their final day of the season draw with Bradford in 2001 - look down at their own kids, bright with the excitement of a day at Wembley.

    Think of the life journeys of those who were there when the Hatters crashed out of the First Division in 1992 with a 2-0 away defeat by fellow relegated side Notts County, coincidentally with Coventry staying up.

    Those who went to the game with mums and dads, with grandparents, aunts or uncles. Some no longer with us. What the occasion would mean to them.

    Today will evoke memories for many, of past times. And create them for those who are still in the early part of their football journey.

  12. Ready from the first whistlepublished at 16:36 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Steve Ogrizovic
    Ex-Coventry City goalkeeper on BBC CWR

    It’s a great touch that Coventry have handed out flags to all the fans.

    The warm-up is an opportunity to get rid of all that nervous energy. You’ll feel better about yourself.

    They’ve got to be bang ready from that first whistle.

  13. Postpublished at 16:35 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    The DJ at Wembley is cranking out Ultra Nate. It's a song which really brings fans together doesn't it? Both sides belting it out.

    Great atmosphere, huge sound.

  14. Sky Blue everywhere - with a dash of orangepublished at 16:33 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Ged Scott
    BBC Sport at Wembley

    Cov away team line-upImage source, Ged Scott - BBC Sport
    Spot the Luton fanImage source, Ged Scott - BBC Sport

    The atmosphere is building, as they say.

    Although there did seem a lot more Sky Blue outside the ground.

    But, get inside and you can see a lot more orange - although less easy to spot as all those orange Luton replica shirts and flags are difficult to make out against Wembley‘s red seats.

    The Luton EndImage source, Ged Scott - BBC Sport
  15. Postpublished at 16:33 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Just seen Tom Lockyer being interviewed on telly, the Luton centre-half.

    He's wearing his Max Verstappen hat again - as he did in the play-off semis. Either, he's a really, really big F1 fan or it's a lucky charm. Or, he just likes hats.

  16. 'Trying to get that edge'published at 16:31 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Gary McSheffrey
    Former Coventry winger on BBC CWR

    You’re just trying to get that edge now, having a chat and trying to visualise what’s going to happen and how the game might start.

    Some players might be going through a routine.

    They’ve done their whole warm-up in the shade, which is probably an advantage.

  17. Robins appreciates parallel journeyspublished at 16:30 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Mark RobinsImage source, Getty Images

    One special aspect of Coventry's achievements in rising from the bottom tier to within a game of the top level, is the fact manager Mark Robins has been there for the entirety of their ascent.

    The former Manchester United and Norwich City striker has been a calm, level-headed presence in guiding the Sky Blues through the leagues, overhauling the squad at each level.

    His and Coventry's journey has closely followed that of Luton, who have climbed in a similar manner, setting a game which has heartwarming redemption properties.

    "People talk about journeys, where we've both come from," said Robins. "It's one for the romantics.

    "Luton have come from the National League. I remember it well. It's been a tough road for them. "They dropped out of the league when I started my managerial career. But it's been a tough road for us too,

    "We've got our own tales of woe. But we're one game away from the Premier League. To be part of that is fantastic. One game away from achieving a dream and changing the club's future very quickly."

  18. 'Massive opportunity for Luton'published at 16:27 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Leon Barnett
    Former Luton defender on BBC Three Counties Radio

    I think Rob Edwards wants to keep the players close to the fans and hopefully they can be the 12th man.

    We’re going to need every single one of those Lutonians to support our team today.

    This is the biggest day for Luton, this is massive, both financially and the reward of playing in the best league in the world with the best players, managers and stadiums.

    It is a massive opportunity for the club. It’s unbelievable.

  19. Edwards credit for Luton's 'heroes'published at 16:26 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    Rob EdwardsImage source, Rex Features

    Rob Edwards started the season as the new face of Watford Football Club, and ends it 90 minutes away from the Premier League here with their fiercest rivals Luton Town.

    It's quite a rollercoaster ride for the 40-year-old, who has successfully smoothed over the ill-fated mid-season departure of Nathan Jones to Southampton and steered the ship brilliantly to reach Wembley.

    Sixteen wins and only five defeats are testament to that. But the humble former Wales international is quick to thank those who have laid the foundations for this achievement.

    "Bringing the club back from the brink, Gary [Sweet] and the board deserve so much credit," Edwards told BBC Three Counties Radio.

    "Then Mick Harford and the role he's played, the recruitment team, the various managers - John Still, Nathan and others.

    "It's down to so many people's hard work and the fans too. They deserve it. They've been incredible."

  20. get involved

    Get Involved using #bbceflpublished at 16:23 British Summer Time 27 May 2023

    Luton v Coventry (16:45 BST)

    FansImage source, Getty Images

    There are rather more of you with us this afternoon than for the average EFL match - it's lovely to have you with us.

    But who are you backing to win this play-off final and reach the Premier League?

    Gives a thumbs up for Luton and a thumbs down for Coventry.

    And if you want to give us a more in-depth opinion on the game, use #bbcefl on Twitter and we'll post some of your thoughts during the afternoon.